18th CSIR’S TECHNO FEST KICKS OFF AT IITF · 18th November , 2016 Page: 1 CSIR CSIR’S TECHNO...

18th November , 2016 Page: 1

CSIR

CSIR’S TECHNO FEST KICKS OFF AT IITF

As the 36th India International Trade Fair (IITF), 2016 kicked off on Monday with the inauguration by President Pranab

Mukherjee, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) opened its mega showcase at Pragati Maidan. Dr.

Harsh Vardhan, Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, inaugurated the ‘CSIR Platinum Jubilee Techno

Fest’.

The Techno Fest unfolded various contributions of CSIR at its 14 theme pavilions, including water, aerospace and strategic

sector, energy, leather, healthcare and generics among many others. Dr. Harsh Vardhan visited each theme pavilion and

interacted with the labs’ directors and scientists.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan said, “This Techno Fest is an opportunity for the young students, scientists and the common people to

come under one roof and witness the knowledgebase of achievements and researches by CSIR.”

The S&T Minister also unveiled the brochures of the thematic areas at the exhibition and keeping to the overall theme of

the event, Digital India, launched a Micro Site of ‘CSIR Platinum Jubilee Techno Celebrations’.

Nov 17, 2016Source: http://www.dailypioneer.com/vivacity/csirs-techno-fest-kicks-off-at-iitf.html

18th November, 2016 Page: 2

Pioneer | Delhi | 17 Nov 2016 | Page 14

CSIR


Aerospace & Strategic Sector Conclave by CSIR in IITF, Pragati Maidan

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), a day after the inauguration

ceremony of its Platinum Jubilee Techno Fest, unveiled the thematic representations of

‘Aerospace & Strategic Sector’ on Tuesday in the 36th India International Trade Fair

(IITF) at PragatiMaidan. Dr. GirishSahni, Director General (CSIR) interacted with the

industrial partners and several notable dignitaries attended the conclave.

The conference commenced at the CSIR hall number 12-A, where senior scientists from various CSIR labs were

present.

Dr. J.J. Jadhav, Director, CSIR- National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), in his presentation, gave highlights of the

achievements and contributions of NAL in the field of Aerospace & Strategic sector. Said Mr. Jadhav exclusively,

“this is a very encouraging event. If we combine our expertise, we can take up big projects. Also from the NAL side,

we have showcased Carbon Composites, Simulator, Redomes, etc. We are also looking into civil aircrafts vision. It

has helped us to tell industry that what is our plan and technologies which are already commercialized. It was a very

interactive session with all.”

He showcased the promising technologies being used in the different aircraft of Indian Armed Forces. Focusing

upon Public-Private partnership, he presented an outline for the future of light-weighted aircraft to be used for

defense forces


The conclave unfolded with precise details about the Aerospace technology and innovations as Dr. K. Muraleedharan,

Director, Central Glass and Ceramic Institute (CGCRI) discussed about the importance of Nano Technology, Radiation

Shielding and Thermal Generation.

He also spoke about the prevalent use of Optical Fiber which has proved to be a boon for the Telecommunication sector.

Naresh Chandra Sharma, Head of Domestic Aerospace & Defense, Tata Advanced Material Limited elevated the conclave

with his views on composites being used in aircrafts that have benefitted the aerospace sector. It includes fins and several

composites used in the cockpit of an aircraft. Professor R.K. Sinha, Director, CSIR- Central Scientific Instruments

Organization (CSIO) shared the lab’s contribution to the Aerospace sector. CSIO has manufactured the Helmet Mounted

Display for aircrafts’ pilots, vehicle and human detection system used by the Indian Army and Laser Shadowgraphy.

The bullet proof jackets are also made by the continuous efforts of CSIO. The conferencealso had an interactive session

by the other industrial partners of CSIR. Ketan. J. Patel from Unique Chemoplant Equipment addressed the conference

with his detailed presentation about the Aerospace Autoclave Development.

It was followed by the presentations of Varinder Singh and Vinod Mathews from Bharat Electronics limited and

Captronics Systems Pvt. Ltd respectively. Dr. SitenduMandal from CSIR-CGCRI spoke about the importance of

commercialization of the technologies in recent times. He focused on the quantum of chemical analysis and to meet the

demand of Atomic Energy.

He emphasized on Radiation shielding window glass, radiation signals and Bead Technologies. He said that there is no

threat of the radiations to the environment. Signing of MoUs and Technology transfer also marked the day 2 of the

Technofest by CSIR. It includes Enzen Global Solutions Private Limited, Bangaluru, for the development of a Wind

Solar Wind Hybrid system for domestic applications, Aditya Birla Group, Mumbai- Technical Advisor Consultancy for

establishing and a composite manufacturing unit for light Comabt Aircraft (LCA) composite parts and H&R Johnson

(India) for low melting High Sodium Glass Beads, Mumbai. DG-CSIR, Dr. GirishSahni concluded the conference with

the question and answers session.


He said, “thanks to all the participants for joining this grand event at Techno Fest. There are new challenges that we

shared and rectified here. People with ambition want to turn up to Research & Development that is a formidable

challenge. It is highly palpable job that needs to be tapped soon.”

Nov 15, 2016Source: http://www.orissadiary.com/ShowBussinessNews.asp?id=70729

CSIR

18th November, 2016 Page:6

Mail Today | New Delhi | Page 24 | Nov 18, 2016

CSIR


Pioneer | New Delhi | Page 4 |Nov 15, 2016

CSIR


Navbharat times | New delhi |Page 9 |Nov 15, 2016

CSIR


CSIR Techno Fest to showcase its 75-year journey

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) will showcase its 75-year journey at its Platinum Jubilee Techno

Fest this year, which is being organised as part of the 36th India International Trade Fair.

During the two-week fair from November 14 to November 27, CSIR will have exhibits on 14 different themes.

The themes include aerospace and strategic sector, ecology and environment, water, food and nutrition, chemicals and

petrochemicals among others.

There will also be a public speaking competition on air pollution which will be held.

Rakesh Kumar, Director of CSIR National Environment Engineering Research Institute, said, "Not just Delhi but there

are at least 37 cities with very high pollution levels. We will treat this competition as a crowd sourcing of ideas as every

city has its own unique set of problems vis-a-vis pollution."

There will be awards for the winners of this competition.

On display will also be a model depicting encasing of nuclear waste in glass. Director of Central Glass and Ceramic

Research Institute K Muraleedharan said, "We are doing this to create awareness among people about the ways in which

we secure our nuclear plants and the waste generated from it."


Harsh Vardhan, Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, said that schools and colleges have been

requested to participate in large numbers at the exhibition.

PTI | Nov 11, 2016Source: www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/csir-techno-fest-to-showcase-its-75-year-journey-116111101362_1.html

CSIR-NPL


Metrology: CSIR-NPL stands the test of time

National Physical Laboratory CSIR-NPL is one among the two scientific institutes established in the country under the

aegis of CSIR in 1950. Over the years, the NPL also known as the National Measurement Institute of (NMI) India has

more than realized its primary mandate as the keeper of measurement standards for the nation while also substantially

expanding its research activities to emerge as a leading national institution for research in a whole gamut of areas in the

Physical Sciences.

Hailed as the Time Keeper of India CSIR-NPL, provides the Indian Standard Time (IST), steadfastly promoting

Metrology, the science of measurement and its application, through the ensuing decades post -Independence.

National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is one among the two scientific institutes established in the country under the aegis

of CSIR in 1950. Over the years, the NPL also known as the National Measurement Institute, NMI of India has more

than realized its primary mandate as the keeper of measurement standards for the nation while also substantially

expanding its research activities to emerge as a leading national institution for research in a whole gamut of areas in the

Physical Sciences.

Metrology is one of the key components in improving product quality which in turn affects quality of life. For instance,

home appliances have to meet certain specifications in terms of acoustic noise, mechanical dimensions, pressure, electrical

voltages and consumption. Metrology and calibrated instruments are a must for judging the conformance to specifications.


CSIR- NPL through the Government is part of the Metre Convention, a diplomatic treaty which was signed by

representatives of 17 countries in Paris, in 1875. The treaty created the International Bureau of Weights and Measures

(BIPM), an intergovernmental organization under the authority of the General Conference on Weights and Measures

(CGPM). India signed this treaty in 1957.

CSIR-NPL has successfully established equivalence with international standards. All other reference and working

standards in other laboratories and industries throughout India are required to be traceable to the National Standards of

Measurements maintained at CSIR- NPL.

Some important Few of the milestones for metrological activities carried out by CSIR-NPL India ,include introduction of

the metric system in India; Law of Weights and Measures promulgated (Re-issued in 1976, 1988), India joining the Meter

Convention, ‘Apex Metrology Laboratory’, a highly controlled environment building for apex level measurements in

2015.

Currently, CSIR-NPL provides apex calibration of equipment to various industries, strategic, academia and government

agencies to the tune of six crores per year which is likely to double over the next five years. Such calibrations at CSIR-

NPL are key drivers to the growth engine of industries and assumes utmost significance for ensuring the success of

“Make in India” mission. Accurate and precise measurements would also support Indian industry and business to

innovate.

CSIR-NPL is gearing up its existing “Quantum Metrology” laboratory that will provide world-class measurement

expertise to validate the new quantum technologies and secure the India’s position in this emerging field (“Sashakt

Bharat”).

Nov 17, 2016Source: https://blog.mygov.in/metrology-csir-npl-stands-the-test-of-time/

CSIR-NGRI


New water mapping, oil extraction techniques by NGRI

Indian scientists are using electro magnetic signals from the earth to prepare water maps of various regions and decipher

at what depth water is available.

CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) Hyderabad is working on the new technology called Transient

Heliborne electro-magnetic survey.

In this, a helicopter fitted with instruments measures the electro magnetic signals from the earth. Once the data is taken

and analyzed, the scientist can decipher the structures beneath the earth and can find out the conductive zones inside the

earth. These also correspond to water zones.

Therefore, scientist are able to prepare water maps of the regions and find out at what depth water is available. So far on

pilot basis they have mapped six regions including the desert plains of Rajasthan, Gangetic plain in Uttar Pradesh and the

rocky terrain in Tamil Nadu.

The results are very encouraging and NGRI which alone has this technology is now ready to take up mapping of the

entire country with the assistance of Ministry of Water Resources.

Speaking to PTI, Dr N Purnachandra Rao, Chief Scientist and Professor (Seismology ), said that the government is very

keen on pushing the study forward so that the whole country can be mapped in order to have the national aquifer map.

This technology has been cross checked by putting drill holes and so far they have matched up with the Heliborne survey

paving way for successful use of this procedure to decipher where ground water is available, at what level and how it can

be maintained, he added.

18th November, 2016 Page:1 4

NGRI scientists are also are carrying out a research to use carbon dioxide to pump out any fuel left in used oil wells or oil

reservoirs.

Once the carbon dioxide pushes out the remaining oil then the carbon dioxide will be capped deep inside the excavation

sites.

The institute is carrying out research on the important

topic of carbon dioxide sequestration in oil reserves which will help in enhancing oil recovery.

The sequestration technique uses carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and injects it in used oil reservoirs to pump out the

remaining oil.

Rao explained that after extraction of oil from reservoirs some oil remains as it is difficult to extract completely.

The process of extracting this remaining oil from these old oil reservoirs has remained difficult so far. But now a new

technique has been developed using carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

With increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere due to high levels of emissions from vehicles, industries etc, this

procedure is beneficial.

Rao said that the remaining oil from these reservoirs can be pumped out which hitherto was not possible and precious

foreign exchange to some extent can be saved which is used to import oils.


Research to refine this technique is going on. NGRI is using simulation techniques on computer called '4 D seismics'

where the exact structure of the earth in that particular area is created and scientist find out the passage to the oil

reservoir.

Once the accuracy is developed they go to the next phase wherein it is seen how much carbon dioxide can be injected and

how much oil can be extracted.

He said research is going on in this 4 D Seismic modelling at NGRI and once successful oil companies can come forward

and use this sequestration procedure.

NGRI plans to tie up with oil companies to tap the oil oil fields where not so refined extraction techniques were used

during the past and a lot of oil could still be present.

The two major oil fields which have long been extracted include the Assam Digboy fields and the Bombay High. Similar

oil fields are in Rajamundry and in Saurashtra.

PTI | Nov 15, 2016Source: http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/new-water-mapping-oil-extraction-techniques-by-ngri-116111500366_1.html

CSIR-NGRI


Nov 16, 2016

CSIR-NGRI


Rashtriya Sahara| Nov 16, 2016

CSIR-NGRI


NGRI to organise an ‘Open Day’

The National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI) will organise an 'open day' on November 15 as part of the

second India International Science Festival (IISF 2016). The IISF will be held in Delhi later this year.

In the run up to the national event, the CSIR-NGRI's 'open day' will focus on various fascinating facets of the earth. It will

showcase the diverse branches of knowledge pertaining to the structure and dynamics of the human planet. The

precursor event will also create awareness among people about the achievements of the NGRI in the last five decades.

Addressing media, NGRI director Dr VM Tiwari said the mega event in Delhi will involve and include the Indian youth

with a view to improving their scientific understanding, temperament and appreciation for various feats in science and

technology.

"It will target every sector of the population, especially the young minds. It also includes a wide range of activities like

national-level science camps, young scientists meets, scientific workshops, science-technology-industry expo, science film

festival, interaction with NGOs, outreach and pre-event activities and cultural programs," he added.

Nov 16, 2016Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/NGRIs-open-day-a-big-hit-among-students/articleshow/55449576.cms

CSIR-NGRI


NGRI's 'open day' a big hit among students

The National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) on Tuesday threw open its gates to general public showcasing its

modern scientific equipment and achievements. Hundreds of people including a large number of students went round the

NGRI-CSIR campus to find out how earthquakes are recorded. The theme of the NGRI's 'open day' was 'come and

explore the fascinating earth'.

Nov 16, 2016Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/NGRIs-open-day-a-big-hit-among-students/articleshow/55449576.cms

CSIR-AMPRI


AMPRI TO ORGANISE PUBLIC OUTREACH PROGRAMME

A public outreach programme would be organised at CSIR -Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute

(AMPRI), Bhopal as a precursor event of second India International Science Festival (IISF) 2016 on Wednesday. About

500 students and teachers would visit the institute on Wednesday.

The second IISF would be organized from December 7 to 11. The objective of this programme is to showcase the Indian

science achievements and innovations for the students, young researchers and general public.

While talking to the media persons here on Tuesday, CSIR- AMPRI’s Director S Das told that four students and teachers

from various part of the state would be felicitated on the occasion for their contribution and active engagement in the field

of Science and Technology. The students and teachers from Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Orissa would visit various

laboratories of CSIR - AMPRI, Bhopal to get acquainted with the latest R&D activities of the institute.

To enable the visitors to witness the R&D achievements of the Institute at one place, an exhibition on the research

activities of CSIR - AMPRI would also be displayed during the programme. The students will also be able to interact with

the scientists during the event. Films on science theme will also be shown.

Das further told that AMPRI is one of the constituent institutions of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research

(CSIR), New Delhi. AMPRI is actively engaged in research and development activities in the areas of Advanced Metallic

Materials , Lightweight Al foam and composites, Shape memory alloys ,Polymeric composites, Advanced construction

materials , Hybrid fibers Industrial waste particulates reinforced advanced composites, advanced radiation shielding

materials Environment Protection and Micro Separation Techniques.

Nov 16, 2016Source: www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/ampri-to-organise--public-outreach-programme.html

CSIR-NCL


Pune researchers fabricate a flexible nanogenerator for wearable electronics

Producing wearable electronics that uses a portable nanogenerator which generates electric power when pressure or twist

is applied got a shot in the arm, thanks to research carried out by Pune researchers. The nanogenerator, which was

fabricated by them, produced 14 volts when thumb pressure was applied. The results were published recently in the

journal Advanced Materials & Interfaces.

To demonstrate the potential of the nanogenerator to power small electronic devices, pressure equivalent to thumb

pressure was continuously exerted on the nanogenerator for 20 minutes by using a vibration producing motor. About 28

micro watt per square cm power and 14 volt that was generated was stored in a capacitor and used for charging a mobile

phone.

Currently, there is considerable research emphasis to develop flexible or wearable devices. Such devices should be portable,

lightweight, shock-resistant, and inexpensive. And the devices should ideally be powered by harvesting easily available

mechanical or vibration energy, making battery or related wiring redundant. Piezoelectric materials, which can generate

electrical power locally through stress or flexing, are a great proposition in this regard.

To produce the nanogenerator, researchers from Pune’s Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) and

the National Chemical Laboratory electrospun a piezoelectric polymer [P(VDF-TrFE)] directly onto a flexible,

conducting carbon cloth. The carbon cloth was produced by the researchers by heating a piece of cotton cloth at 800

degree C for several hours in an inert atmosphere.


To improve the piezovoltage of the polymer fibres, the researchers coated the fibres with a stronger, inorganic

ferroelectric material (BaTiO3) paste. “The nanoparticles from the coating helps fill the gaps between the polymer

nanofibres and increase the piezoelectric property,” says Prof. Satishchandra Ogale from the Department of Physics and

Centre for Energy Science, IISER Pune and the corresponding author of the paper. In addition, the ferroelectric material

was also incorporated into the polymer to further enhance the piezoelectric property. This was done right when the

polymer was electrospun.

The amount of BaTiO3 fibre incorporated into the polymer had to be optimised at 5 per cent. When the fibre density was

less inside the polymer the density of interfaces (where the separation of positive and negative charges takes place)

formed between the fibre and the polymer was also less. But flexibility was reduced when too much was added and it also

led to more internal charging resulting in electrical short.

The coated polymer was covered by another piece of flexible carbon cloth before the device was sealed. The carbon cloth

on either side of the device acted as two electrodes. The carbon cloth too contributes to the enhanced piezovoltage

generated by the nanogenerator through its peculiar morphology as a substrate.

“The cloth has a surface microstructure which produces good bonding between the cloth (electrode) and the active layer.

The bonding will be poor in the case of a metal layer,” says Prof. Ogale. “Due to the roughness of the cloth surface, when

you press or flex the device the applied force is transmitted along different directions of the piezoelectric active layer. And

this improves the piezoelectric property of the nanogenerator.” If the electrode were a flat metallic surface then the force

applied would be transmitted in only one direction.


“When thumb pressure was applied on the polymer alone 2-3 volt was produced. In the case of the polymer with BaTiO3

coating, the piezovoltage generated was 7-8 volt. But 14 volt was produced when BaTiO3 was incorporated into the

polymer and also coated on the fibre surface,” says Dipti Dhakras from NCL and the first author of the paper. “The

voltage of 14 volt with a current of several microamperes is the highest power output reported for wearable type of

nanogenerator using conducting cloth as the electrode,” notes the paper.

Piezoelectric materials are a great proposition in making lightweight, wearable devices

R. PRASAD | Nov 14, 2016Source: www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-educationplus/pune-researchers-fabricate-a-flexible-nanogenerator-for-wearable-electronics/article9341307.ece

CSIR-URDIP


Indian scientists burdened by cost of research published in open access

journals

Indians spend close to $2.4 million annually to get their scientific research output published in different open access (OA)

journals, authors of a new study say, raising concerns that scientists often have to cough up two months equivalent of

salary to get their work into those journals. “We estimate that India is potentially spending about $2.4 million annually on

Article Processing Charges (APCs) levied by those journals. To publish a paper in OA, some journals levy a charge that is

equivalent to two months’ salary of an assistant professor in India,” Muthu Madhan of DST Centre for Policy Research,

Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, told IANS.

Criticising the practice, Madhan says it is not right, given the major part (about 70 per cent) of research funding is

sourced from taxpayers. “And there is shortage of funds for research. It is not right for researchers to give part of it to

rich publishers — who overcharge anyway for the meagre services they provide and take home profits in the range 30 to

40 per cent year after year even when the economy was not doing well,” he said. The authors arrived at the figure based on

the data mined from Science Citation Index Expanded that revealed 37,078 papers were published by Indian researchers in

881 OA journals during the five-year period from 2010-2014. An abstract of the analysis is available in the Current

Science journal, ahead of publication.

“This accounts for about 14.4 per cent of India’s overall publication output, considerably higher than the 11.6 per cent

from the world,” the study notes. It is co-authored by Siva Shankar Kimidi of the Library Department, Indian Institute of

Technology, Hyderabad; Subbiah Gunasekaran of the Knowledge Resource Centre, Central Electrochemical Research

Institute, Karaikudi; and Subbiah Arunachalam of the DST Centre for Policy Research. The authors suggest that it would

be prudent for Indian researchers to make their work freely available through inter-operable repositories, a trend that is

growing significantly around the world.


The study does not include the expenditure on OA papers published by Indian researchers in subscription journals which

make papers available on OA on payment of a fee. Raising the financial and ethical issue of paying for getting papers

published in professional journals, the authors opine the funding agencies in India should “forbid researchers who are now

using research grants” (funds provided only for research) to cover APCs. The analysis shed light on the fact that Indian

authors have used 488 OA journals levying APC, ranging from Rs 500 to $5,000, in the five years, to publish about 15,400

papers.

Use of OA journals levying APC has “increased” over the four years from 242 journals and 2,557 papers in 2010 to 328

journals and 3,634 papers in 2014. There has been a spike in the use of non-APC journals as well, but at a slower pace.

More than half of these papers were published in just 13 journals. PLOS One and Current Science are the OA journals

Indian researchers use most often, the authors note.

Though most leading Indian journals are open access ones and do not charge APC, there is a leaning towards “foreign

journals” in the pecking order. “Most Indian journals are nowhere near the top in this order. In general, researchers prefer

to publish their papers in prestigious journals (as considered by the community), irrespective of the publishing country

of a journal. However, most of the prestigious journals (in science, technology and medicine) are published from either

North America or Western Europe,” Madhan observed.

To circumvent the expenditure, Madhan suggested researchers make their papers OA in two ways. “They can publish

their papers in traditional professional journals that do not levy an APC and place the accepted manuscript (called post-

print) in an inter-operable institutional repository. There are ways — protocols — by which all the distributed

institutional repositories could be viewed as a single mega repository by a searcher.”


Institutions can also establish and maintain an inter-operable repository at a negligible cost using open source software

such as EPrints and DSpace. In India, there are many institutions that have set up such repositories. Notable among them

is ScienceCentral — maintained by CSIR — URDIP Pune, which hosts repositories for institutions of CSIR, DBT and

DST, and harvests and indexes metadata of the contents in those collections. It provides a single search interface, points

out Madhan.

At the global level, Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (BASE) is a major player. The attitude, “paying money to publish

papers” that the APC levying journals are trying to nurture, is dangerous for the scientific community, Madhan warned.

“There is a feeling that this idea offers space for dubious publishers who exploit the scientific community and corrupt the

research system, and one can no longer ignore the growth of such predatory publishing,” he added.

Nov 14, 2016Source: tech.firstpost.com/news-analysis/indian-scientists-burdened-by-cost-of-research-published-in-open-access-journals-347179.html

CSIR-NIO


GPR survey to be done for Harappa research

Goa-based national institute of oceanography (NIO) will be lending a helping hand to Deccan college post graduate and

research institute, Pune to excavate two mounds in Haryana's Rakhigarhi village. Archaeologists and researchers are

currently in the process of unlocking the mysteries of the lifestyle of the Harappans in this village by studying their

DNA.

With the help of the NIO, Deccan College will conduct a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey of two mounds at the

site where they suspect prominent Harappan activity took place. While one site is supposed to be a manufacturing division

where various crafts were developed, the other is the citadel where routine activities took place.

Their research is aimed at studying how the Harappan civilization from its formative stage evolved into a more developed

stage.

Nida Sayed | TNN | Nov 13, 2016Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/GPR-survey-to-be-done-for-Harappa-research/articleshow/55404081.cms

CSIR-NIIST


Herbal compound promises cure for liver cancer

A medicinal plant which grows as weed in wastelands across India could soon provide a potent cure for liver cancer.

An interdisciplinary team of scientists from four major institutes has reported that a compound derived from the leaves of

Solanum nigrum , known as Manithakkali in Malayalam, has remarkable efficacy in treating liver cancer.

Evaluation of the compound, a saponin named Uttroside B, has shown that it is 10 times more effective than Sorafenib, the

only drug currently available for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. The finding has been published in the latest

issue of Scientific Reports , a journal published by the Nature group.

Widely used

The team has isolated the compound from the leaves of the plant. Also known as Black nightshade, Solanum nigrum

belongs to the family Solanaceae and is widely used in traditional medicine for various ailments such as inflammation,

jaundice, bronchitis, asthma, leprosy, and skin disorders. It is a rich source of anticancer molecules. The team comprising

researchers from the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and

Technology (NIIST), Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, and the National Chemical Laboratory, Pune,

has also found that unlike Sorafenib, the plant-based compound does not cause noticeable side effects.


Laboratory tests showed drastic inhibition of tumour growth in mice. The team has filed for a patent on the finding and

is exploring the possibility of a tie-up with the University of Oklahoma, USA, for clinical trials.

According to Ruby John Anto, cancer researcher at the RGCB and a lead author of the paper, various plant species of the

Solanum family have been reported to have considerable amount of saponins which exhibit potent activity against

different cancer cell lines. “In the present study, we found that uttroside B isolated from the leaves of Solanum nigrum has

maximum effect against liver cancer cells.”

T. NANDAKUMAR| Nov 14, 2016Source: www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/herbal-compound-promises-cure-for-liver-cancer/article9342397.ece

CSIR-IITR


Good rainfall made this year’s air cleaner than last year’s

The city's post-monsoon air this year was less polluted than last year, thanks to sufficient rainfall in September.

In the post-monsoon period which was monitored, Indiranagar among residential areas and Chowk and Charbagh among

commercial areas were found to be the most polluted.

A study by the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR) to monitor the environmental status of Lucknow after

monsoon across nine locations was released on Friday.

The study covered residential, commercial and industrial areas. This study is independent of the smog monitoring

exercise of the recent past.

"Dilution is the only solution for pollution. This year, air was less polluted after monsoon due to sufficient rainfall and

windy conditions. Air has a certain carrying capacity and winds dilute pollution whereas rainfall controls the suspension

of dust particles in the air," said IITR director Alok Dhawan.

According to data released by IITR, the highest concentration (average of 24 hours) of PM10 and PM2.5—hazardous air

pollutants—was recorded in Indiranagar among residential areas.

Among commercial areas, the highest concentration of PM10 was recorded in Chowk and of PM2.5 in Charbagh.

Among residential areas, the 24-hour average concentration of PM10 was 180.8 microgram(mcg)/cubic metre of air, 15

less than the level recorded last year. The concentration of PM2.5 also decreased by 7 mcg/cubic mt of air as compared to

last year.


The maximum 24-hour mean concentration of PM10 was in Vikasnagar (residential) with levels reaching as high as 302

mcg/cubic mt of air. Chowk recorded 398.2 mcg/cubic mt of air among commercial areas.

Indiranagar recorded maximum PM2.5 with levels reaching as high as 151.2 mcg/cubic mt of air whereas in commercial

areas, Charbagh recorded the highest at 177.8 mcg/cubic mt of air. Pollution level recorded in the city was above the

permissible limits of 100 and 60 for PM10 and PM2.5 respectively according to the National Ambient Air Quality

Standards.

INFO

Post-monsoon assessment from September 26 to October 26 for both years

PM10 level

Year----------------2015-----------2016

Residential-------195.2---------180.8

Commercial-------243.8--------212.9

PM2.5 level

Year----------------2015-----------2016

Residential---------97.1----------91.0

Commercial-------120.9----------97.5

In micrograms/cubic metre of air

Nov 12, 2016Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/good-rainfall-made-this-years-air-cleaner-than-last-years/articleshow/55380016.cms

CSIR-IITR


Hindustan Times | Lucknow | Page 3 |Nov 12, 2016

CSIR-IITR


Rashtriya Sahara | Page 8 | November 12, 2016


Also Published in

Navbharat Times: page 7, November 12

Amar Ujala: November 12

The pioneer: Page 4, November 12

TOI: Page 2, November 12

CSIR-CSIO


Industry holds meet with academia

To bridge the gap between industry and academia, Centre for Policy Research at Panjab University, in association with

Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO) and Chandigarh Region Innovation & Knowledge Cluster (CRIKC),

organized a first of its kind industry-academia meet, christened as Medical Device Innovation Cluster (MDIC) meet on

Saturday. Professor R Tewari, coordinator, Centre for Policy Research and Convenor of MDIC informed the gathering

that MDIC has been created for the promotion of innovative research in the area of medical devices by bringing industries

(medical devices) and scientists of Chandigarh region on a single platform, and to provide assistance to Centre in framing

proper guidelines for running the medical devices industry in India.

Inaugurating the meet, Professor Arun K Grover, vice-chancellor, Panjab University, highlighted achievements of CRIKC

and informed the gathering of creating many industry-academia interfaces on the lines of MDIC, in collaboration with

CII, Chandigarh. Dr Dinesh Dua, chairman, CII Council, Chandigarh, endorsed views of Professor Grover and assured

full support in making Chandigarh region as one of the leading centres of industry-academia interactions. Professor R K

Sinha, director, CSIO, highlighted contribution of CSIO in developing innovative medical devices for society. Keynote

speaker Dr G D Puri emphasized the need of MDIC and elaborated on various medical devices developed in his laboratory

at PGIMER in collaboration with industries. He apprised his endeavours to bring DST sponsored "Innovation Hub" in

PGIMER. Dr Jatinder K Arora, executive director, Punjab State Council for Science & Technology, and Dr Anita

Aggarwal, senior scientist at Department of Science & Technology, GoI, New Delhi, assured all possible help in

establishing IA interfaces in Chandigarh region.


The last session was on "Strengthening Industry-Academia Interface" in which prominent personalities like Professor

Sarit K Das, director, IIT-Ropar; Dr Ashok Ganguli, director, Institute of Nano Science and Technology Mohali; Dr. R S

Sangwan, Center of Innovative and Applied Bioprocessing Mohali, Dr Rakesh Tuli, former director, National Agri-Food

Biotechnology Institute Mohali, Professor Arun K Grover and Professor R K Sinha laid down the road map for

functioning of MDIC as well as creation of similar industry-academia clusters in areas of engineering and biological

sciences.

Nov 13, 2016Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Industry-holds-meet-with-academia/articleshow/55395455.cms

CSIR-IICT


IICT to set up academic cell at Gitam varsity

CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) will set up an academic cell on GITAM University campus to take

up research, teaching and training in selected and advanced thrust area in science and technology.

MoU to this effect was signed between the organisations at GITAM University here on Saturday. The CSIR-IICT has

expertise in conducting R&D studies in synthetic organic chemistry, natural products chemistry, pharmacy, molecular

modelling, lipid science and technology, polymers and functional materials, medicinal chemistry, bioinformatics, chemical

biology and chemical informatics.

GU Registrar M. Potharaju and IICT Chief Scientist K. Bhanu Prakash exchanged the MoU documents in the presence

of Vice-Chancellor M.S. Prasada Rao, Pro Vice-Chancellor K. Sivarama Krishna, Science Advisor N. Lakshmana Das and

others.

The academic cell will facilitate the CSIR-IICT students and staff for their doctoral work and to collaborate with GITAM

faculty for implementation of outreach activities.

Nov 13, 2016Source: www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/iict-to-set-up-academic-cell-at-gitam-varsity/article9340309.ece

CSIR-IICT


Swatantra vaartha| Nov 12, 2016

CSIR-NPL CSIR-NEERI

18th November, 2016 Page: 3 9

Delhi pollution set to spike in winter; blame Pakistan, Punjab, UP and more

A newly conducted study crowns Delhi as the pollution hotspot during the winter season. Winds that blow into

the city, especially from Pakistan, Punjab and Haryana on one side and UP and Bihar from another, make it more

pollution prone

The prime motto of the study was to understand the variations in the chemical compositions and physical

properties of pollutants that hits Delhi from the dry and semi-dry regions depending upon the season

Soon after the post Diwali pollution calamity in the national capital, a newly conducted study crowns Delhi as the

pollution hotspot during the winter season. Winds that blow into the city, especially from Pakistan, Punjab and Haryana

on one side and UP and Bihar from another, make it more pollution prone. The study also said that 46 per cent of

Particulate Matter (PM 2.5) – tiny toxic dust particles – blows into the national capital from the northern part of India

and Pakistan and 30 per cent from UP, Bihar and Uttarakhand. The facts and figures relieved in the study contradicts the

statement made by Union Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave earlier this week, who said that Delhi was responsible

for 80 per cent of pollution in the state.

The study was conducted by researchers Mohit Saxena, A Sharma, Saraswati, T K Mandal, S K Sharma, C Sharma from

the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and Priyanka Saxena from National Environmental Engineering Research

Institute (NEERI).

Going further, this study also found that a massive 72 per cent of Delhi’s wind during winters blows in from the

northwest parts of India and Pakistan and the remaining 28 per cent from the Indo-Gangetic plains. The patterns of the

wind blowing in summer, winters and monsoon are different which is why PM 2.5 travels, added the study.

18th November, 2016 Page: 4 0

“It is significant to mention that adjoining areas of Delhi are the industrial hubs, construction and agriculture zones,

therefore these activities probably result in the inflow of a mixture of coarse and fine continental pollutant aerosols to

the study area,” says the study.

The prime motto of the study was to understand the variations in the chemical compositions and physical properties of

pollutants that hits Delhi from the dry and semi-dry regions depending upon the season. The samples used in the study

was collected from NPL premises on Pusa Road, New Delhi between January 2013 and December 2014.

Earlier this year, NPL had also conducted a source apportionment study which showed that around 14 per cent of PM 2.5

in Delhi’s air is due to the massive biomass burnings. Pollution from Aerosols accounted for 21.3 per cent of PM 2.5

followed by vehicle emissions at 19.7 per cent and fossil fuel combustion at 13.7 per cent.

Nov 11, 2016Source: www.financialexpress.com/india-news/delhi-pollution-set-to-spike-in-winter-blame-pakistan-punjab-up-and-more/443793/

CSIR-CSMCRI


TOI| Rajkot | Nov 10, 2016

CSIR-CSMCRI


DD Bharti| Nov 8, 2016

CSIR-CSMCRI


Gujarat Samachar| Bhavnagar | Nov 9, 2016

CSIR-CSMCRI


Saurashtra Samachar| Nov 6, 2016


Also Published in:

Gandhinagar News: 11th November

Gujaraat Vaibhav: 7th November

Sandesh Samachar: 6th November

Gujarat Samachar, Bhavnagar: 11th November

Gujarat Samachar: 16th November

Lok Sansar: 9th November

Nimral Bhumi: 9th November

Sandesh Samachar: 11th November

Saurashtra Aaspaas, bhavnagar: 8th November

Saurashtra samachar, Bhavnagar: 10th November

Saurashtra Samachar: 12th November

Gujarat Samachar: 6th November (Adv.)

Times of India: 7th November (adv.)

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